Cobolli and Bellucci Shine as Cocciaretto Exits US Open
In New York, the Italian tennis contingent has had a mixed start to the US Open, with both triumphs and disappointments marking the early rounds of the final Grand Slam of the season. Late on Monday night, Italian fans were treated to dramatic performances, as Mattia Bellucci and Flavio Cobolli secured their places in the second round, while Elisabetta Cocciaretto unfortunately bowed out.
Flavio Cobolli’s match was nothing short of a marathon. Facing fellow Italian Francesco Passaro, Cobolli fought through nearly four hours of grueling tennis. The battle stretched to five sets, filled with breaks, counter-breaks, and momentum swings. The final scoreline read 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, and it reflected just how tight the contest had been. Passaro produced 81 unforced errors, compared to Cobolli’s 58, and while their number of winners remained almost identical, it was Cobolli who kept his composure when it mattered most. The decisive break came in the fifth set at 4-3, and from there, the world number 26 closed the match on his second opportunity. Now, Cobolli prepares for his next challenge against the winner of Brooksby and Vukic.
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Meanwhile, Mattia Bellucci’s path to the second round unfolded differently but was no less eventful. His opponent, China’s Shang, had started strong, particularly in the second set, but eventually could not continue due to physical issues. Bellucci had taken the first set through a flawless 7-0 tie-break, but was shaken in the second when Shang stormed ahead 6-1. The Italian, however, steadied himself in the third set, breaking at a crucial moment to regain control. In the fourth, Bellucci immediately pressed forward, and after building a 3-0 lead, Shang retired, handing Bellucci the win. The Italian now faces a far more daunting test—Carlos Alcaraz, who advanced after defeating Reilly Opelka in straight sets.
On the women’s side, Elisabetta Cocciaretto’s journey came to an early end against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva. The Italian started strongly, racing to a 4-1 lead in the first set, but her momentum slipped away as Putintseva rattled off five straight games to claim it 6-4. Cocciaretto battled hard in the second set, even leveling the score late on, but when serving to close out the set, nerves crept in. She was broken at love, and eventually lost the tie-break 7-4. For Cocciaretto, it was a match that slipped away despite promising moments.
With Bellucci and Cobolli through, and Jannik Sinner set to make his debut on Tuesday against Kopriva, Italian hopes remain alive in New York. The night offered a taste of both joy and regret, as the country’s tennis stars continue their fight in the final Slam of 2025.
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